Medvedev to discuss aviation policy

MOSCOW, April 1 (Itar-Tass) -- President Dmitry Medvedev will chair a
meeting of the Security Council on Friday to discuss the state policy in
the aviation sphere.
"The meeting will work to resolve the issue of a balanced development
and rational use of domestic aviation potential," the Security Council
said on its website.
The Russian government is designing a program to develop the aircraft
industry which stipulates that Russia shall occupy 10 percent of the
global market of civilian aviation, 14 percent of combat aviation, and 15
percent in helicopter production.
Russian airlines are mostly flying foreign-made aircraft which number
close to 400 in 35 companies. In February Medvedev appointed Mikhail
Pogosyan as a new head of the United Aircraft Corporation which is in
charge of domestic aircraft production.
Russian combat jets are well-known in foreign countries, however the
situation with civilian aircraft leaves much to be desired. The most
promising project is the medium-range Sukhoi Superjet-100. Another
medium-range project, MS-21, is expected to pass the first test trials
only in 2015.
Security in airports is likely to be also discussed following the
terrorist act in Domodedovo airport in Moscow in January that killed 37
people.